Pillow
12th century (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This pillow is an example of Cizhou ware, a type of ceramic made in the northern part of China during the Jin dynasty (1115-1234). The term Cizhou encapsulates a range of wares made in several regions of northern China, often consisting of a stoneware body decorated with a bold design.
Ceramic pillows were an important item in the kilns producing Cizhou wares, and were made for both funerary use and as a neck support for the living. The stoneware body of this piece has been glazed in a modified version of the sancai three-colour scheme of the Tang dynasty, known as Song sancai.
Ceramic pillows were an important item in the kilns producing Cizhou wares, and were made for both funerary use and as a neck support for the living. The stoneware body of this piece has been glazed in a modified version of the sancai three-colour scheme of the Tang dynasty, known as Song sancai.
Object details
| Category | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Stoneware, incised and glazed |
| Brief description | Pillow, stoneware with coloured glazes, Cizhou ware, China, Northern Song-Jin dynasty, 12th century |
| Physical description | Cizhou ware pillow with floral coloured glaze designs |
| Dimensions |
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| Styles | |
| Object history | Purchased from S. M. Franck & Co., accessioned in 1910. This acquisition information reflects that found in the Asia Department registers, as part of a 2022 provenance research project. |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | This pillow is an example of Cizhou ware, a type of ceramic made in the northern part of China during the Jin dynasty (1115-1234). The term Cizhou encapsulates a range of wares made in several regions of northern China, often consisting of a stoneware body decorated with a bold design. Ceramic pillows were an important item in the kilns producing Cizhou wares, and were made for both funerary use and as a neck support for the living. The stoneware body of this piece has been glazed in a modified version of the sancai three-colour scheme of the Tang dynasty, known as Song sancai. |
| Bibliographic reference | Kerr, Rose. Song Dynasty Ceramics. London:V&A Publications, 2004. p. 72, no. 71. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | C.285-1910 |
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| Record created | June 10, 2005 |
| Record URL |
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